By David Olalekan.
South Africans are back to the streets to demand the immediate departure of Nigerians and other foreign nationals residing in the country.
According to the Sowetan Live, protesters in eastern Johannesburg stormed the streets today, chanting “foreigners must go back to where they came from.”
One of the protesters, Siphiwe Mhlongo was quoted as saying, “We are not happy with how the government has tried to resolve the problems that the country is facing.
“The government must come speak to the people and explain what it is going to do with the foreign nationals who are here illegally.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Mission in South Africa, on Sunday, revealed that about 400 Nigerians have so far registered to be evacuated from South Africa following the recent onslaught on Nigerians and other foreigners in the Southern African country.
Nigeria’s Consul General in Johannesburg, Godwin Adama made the disclosure today in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He disclosed that the first batch of returnees will be repatriated on Wednesday via Air Peace Airlines.
Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Kabiru Bala, also noted that the mission was sorting out the needs of Nigerians with inadequate travel documents.
Bala said: “We are documenting them. Those without travel documents, we shall provide them with Emergency Travel Certificates.
“There are other governmental procedures that we must observe. Relevant agencies of government in Nigeria must be informed and must be ready to receive the returnees.
“Hard work is now going on at the High Commission and Consulate in this regard. As soon as all procedures and relevant protocols are observed, the return is assured and guaranteed.
“A little more patience will be helpful. The response of Nigerians is just amazing.’’